Aviva Premiership chiefs have ruled out taking a league game overseas after Wasps announced they would tackle LV= Cup opponents Harlequins in Abu Dhabi later this month.

Wasps will host Quins in the United Arab Emirates on January 30 but Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty says it is not an avenue that is being explored in terms of top-flight English league fixtures.

"I don't think we will take the Premiership there," he said. "We wouldn't take a competition that people care fanatically about there - it would be wrong to take that away from supporters. It is the national championship at club level, and that would take it out of the core market."

McCafferty, meanwhile, underlined the desire to continue developing home-grown playing talent as the Premiership is seemingly braced for a potential influx of overseas stars after the World Cup in New Zealand later this year.

He added: "We are not in the market for the most highly-paid players in the world.

"It is about developing home-grown talent, not overseas talent, and these academy players are really beginning to make their mark."

How to Complain

If you have a complaint about the editorial content of the Belfast Telegraph or Sunday Life then contact the Editor here. If you are not satisfied with the response provided then you can contact the Independent Press Standards Organisation here